Nuclear power capacity to rise to 21,880 MW by 2032, Centre tells Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: The Union government said India’s nuclear power capacity would rise to 21,880 MW by 2031–32, with 17 nuclear reactors currently under various stages of implementation.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said the country had an installed nuclear capacity of 8,780 MW from 24 operating reactors, excluding the 100 MW RAPS-1 unit.

He said seven reactors were under construction, while ten more were in the pre-project stage. Together, these reactors account for an additional 13,100 MW and would be completed in phases.

The minister added that the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited was commissioning a 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. The government has also approved pre-project activities for two more 500 MWe fast breeder units at the same site.

Nuclear power capacity expansion backed by safety reviews

Dr. Singh said the government carried out continuous safety and performance reviews of all reactors. Authorities implemented upgrades regularly to meet modern safety standards.

At present, major renovation and refurbishment work is underway at four operating reactors. These efforts aim to extend operational life and improve performance.

The minister also outlined the locations of reactors under construction and pre-project activities. These include projects at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan, Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, Gorakhpur in Haryana, Kaiga in Karnataka, Chutka in Madhya Pradesh, and Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan.

He clarified that every nuclear power project undergoes a comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment. Construction begins only after the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change grants environmental clearance.

The reply stated that the expansion programme followed prescribed safety, regulatory, and environmental norms. The government, therefore, expects nuclear power capacity to play a growing role in India’s clean energy mix.